Characterization of sorptioncompressor for mixed refrigerant J-T cryocooler

Abstract

The requirement of a cryocooler with minimum vibrations for space borne system and highly sophisticated electronic devices for ground application, has led to the development of sorption compressor type J-T cryocooler. The adsorption capacity of any adsorbent material increases with an increase in pressure and decreases with an increase in temperature. In a Sorption compressor, adsorbed gases are desorbed in a confined volume by raising temperature of the sorption bed which results in increase in pressure of gas. A uniform temperature across the sorption bed ensures maximum discharge from the compressor amounting to higher flow rates and longer cycle time on account of reduced residual loading. In addition, it is also very important to determine the adsorption capacity of any material with respect to the gas or gases to be adsorbed as this varies with source of the adsorbent. The present work reports the characterization of a fully operational two-cell sorption compressor developed. The sorption compressor is characterized for discharge pressure variation with cycle time; this is essentially a function of a) the amount of adsorbent, b) the adsorption capacity for respective gas or gases, c) desorption temperature and its uniformity, and d) system dead volume. The present paper analyses these aspects theoretically and the results are compared with the experimental data obtained for individual gases as well as for gas mixtures. The effect of gas distribution on temperature uniformity across the bed and of heater power on high pressure generated is also studied. The paper also discusses the pressure profile obtained for a given amount of adsorbent for different gas or gas mixture. The work, based on the results obtained so far is being further extended for a four cell sorption compressor. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.